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Immediate Family
About Stephanus Johannes Smith
Stephanus 'Fanie' Johannes Smith (1961 - 2003)
Brief overview:
Fanie (41), and his wife Catharina Johanna Smith (33) were found burned beyond recognition in their own car near Heilbron in the northern Free State, on Thursday 30th July 2003. They had both been shot.
Captain Rosa Benade said police believed that Fanie and Ina were overwhelmed by attackers at their house on the farm Vadersdeel and then shot dead. The murderers then drove the couples station wagon to a deserted rural road in the area, where the car was set alight.
A forensic team from Pretoria were called in to investigate. Two people were arrested and were being held for questioning. Police called family members to determine if anything was stolen from the farmhouse.
Their bodies were exhumed for further forensic tests.
Brief Biography:
- Other Victims/Family
- Ina Smith was three months pregnant at the time of the murder with their first child. However, her body was so charred that the autopsy could not determine whether she was pregnant.
- Funeral/Memorial
- The Farm/Smallholding
- The Region (Land disputes, other incidents etc.)
Attack Details:
- Date and time of attack
- Weapons
- Items Stolen
- The Smith's car, as well as a cellphone, cassette holder, video cassette and 12 CDs.
- Investigative officer/SAPS Case No:
- Torture, Gratuitous violence
- Indications of Hate Crime? Threats etc.
Perpetrator details:
- Number and Descriptions
- Arrests
- 2 Men were arrested shortly after the murder by Heilbron police and the Welkom serious violent crime unit.
- Name/s and age/s of Perpetrator/s
- Samuel Tsotsetsi (22) and his cousin Meshack Tsotsetsi (23) from Frankfort, Samuel Tsotsetsi worked as a herdsman on the farm.
- Country of origin of Perpetrator/s
- Trial/Conviction
- The man on whose clothing was found blood splatters testified in the Kroonstad High Court that he was threatened by his cousin and a friend he would killed if he spoke of the murders. Samuel Tsotsetsi (22) testified before Judge G.F. Wright, that though his cousin Meshack Tsotsetsi (23), and one Jabulani told him to deny all about the murders of Mr. Fanie and Mrs. Ina Smith, but his brother talked him into coming up with the truth. This is why he admits to having seen and heard the couple being killed and robbed by his cousin and Jabulani while locked in his room near the farmhouse. Tsotsetsi was advised by Adv. Colin Steyn for the state under cross-examination.. They were represented by Advv. Jan Nkhahle and Belinda Daffue
Additional Biographical Information:
- Identity Number : 6111275117082
- Cause of death : Unnatural causes
Links to Media articles:
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Stephanus Johannes Smith's Timeline
| 1961 |
November 27, 1961
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| 2003 |
July 30, 2003
Age 41
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Heilbron, Northern Free State, FS, South Africa
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